Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Mangbetu

Wood, Leather, Fiber String
ca. Early 20th Century
Length: 31 inches
Chordophone – Harp

This long-neck arched harp called ‘Domu’ comes from the Mangbetu People of the early 20th century. Seven strings with skin laced on, over wooden trough sound resonator. Shows signs of usage and age.  The elongated representation of the head is a reference to the past Mangbetu practice of shaping the head during infancy by means of gentle pressure through tying bands around the head of the soft skull/head of the infant. 

The resonators come in two forms, the hourglass shape or an oval shape, seen here, and usually features two small sounding holes on the top surface. A variety of animal skins were used to cover the resonator.